Why Is It Important To Be Critically Engaged?

“All attempts at gaining literary polish must begin with judicious reading,” H. P. Lovecraft famously advised aspiring writers. Indeed, reading is an essential skill on par with writing, and though non-reading may be an intellectual choice on par with reading, reading itself — just like writing — is a craft that requires optimal technique for optimal outcome. So how, exactly, do we hone that vital technique? While speed-reading tutorials, courses, software, and books abound today, some of the most potent tips you’ll ever receive come from an unexpected source:

In order to master this skill I need to remember to use the SQ3R study technique. SQ3R stands for survey, question, read, recite and review. By surveying before I read it gives me an idea of what I am going to be reading about which will prepare my mind for what it is about take in. Asking questions and then answering them as I read will help information stick in my mind. When I read something, I need to remember not to get frustrated because I’m obviously not going to remember everything the first time. It’s okay to have to read things more than once. Also if I recite and review things over and over it will help me retain information as well. The more I use the SQ3R study technique the more comfortable I will become in reading. By doing this routinely it should help me improve my study skills and my academic success.

I feel that the tools listed in the article “Read Like a Graduate Student, not a Mystery Fan” are going to help me immensely as I continue my course of education. The first chapter I read, for another course that I am currently enrolled in, I read from front to back like I would normally read a chapter for enjoyment. Upon completing the reading assignment, I felt like I had retained very little information. After reading the first discussion questions required for the course, I had to re-read portions of the first chapter in order to address the topics from discussion questions. I did not read the chapter from front to back but read the introduction, then the summary and finally the content. The second reading,

Pacing: steady reading with pauses – all pages are written the same, but pauses will be taken to absorb the information and reflect.

In chapter two of The Active Writer it covers some reasons many students are not active readers. Students prefer to read something that is interesting to them and easy to read but even if the reading is something of interest to them and the reading is difficult they give up. It also goes on and explains steps on how to be an active reader. An advice that would help to be an active reader is to be in a place where an individual can concentrate on the reading. Something an active reader does is pre-reads the material get an idea about what the reading is about. Another step to active reading is to question the material you are reading and make notes also, you should review all notes that where taken. You need to make sure the notes you take can

I'm 60 years old now, but I spent many years hating how slowly I read. I had so many interests in things I would love to read about... but my slow reading made this a tortuously long task.

While I was reading the book, I was reading at a really fast pace. I was reading so fast that I wasn’t really grasping the concepts on the page. For example, I read so fast that I missed the importance of the page that talked about Marji’s grandfather and how he was a prince and how he came to being prime minister (Satrapi 22). I was also reading so fast that I had to go back and read the tiers over again because I wasn’t understanding the page. The

As I reflect on my summer reading of the book “The Lord of the Flies”, I am able to recall a few habits that I experienced. Some were more evident than others to say the least. You see, before I begin reading a book I make predictions on what the book is going to be about by looking at the title and the cover page. In addition, it’s important for me to find a quiet place before I begin reading. Furthermore, before I start my reading it is important for me to set goals, so I can accomplish as much of the reading I’m required to complete. Most importantly, I must be able to not only complete the reading assignment, but also have a good comprehension of its context. Moreover, I’ve realized that during my reading there are other habits that I use, which is to make sure I understand the section I’m reading before I move on to the next part of the book.

Furthermore, know what you are looking for while reading the book. Are you only looking for information about a certain topic? Then you can scan the page to find it, and read only that to save time. When in class, listen to what is being said so you can take that and put it with the material you are assigned to read. This way you won't have to read it so many times through. Take these shortcuts at your own risk; you don't want to end up missing a vital piece of

Without these new strategies, writers would continue to write the same and never try anything new. According to Lisa Ede in The Academic Writer, reading actively helps the reader decide whether or not the writer is correct and if they agree or disagree with what the author is saying. Without this thinking, the reader would not be able to question the author and would mindlessly follow what the author is saying. This is also good practice for questioning other people in a discussion based event. Lisa Ede also said that by reading actively one can learn how to persuade, convey, and show information much better. When reading actively, much more is retained and the reader will be able to describe a clear picture of what occurred in the text because they were so focused. If the reader didn’t read actively, it would be difficult for them to persuade other about the text because they wouldn’t remember as much information. If the reader decides to not read actively, there is no point in them even reading because they will retain very little information, and they will be reading just to get through the

Just because you’re a slow reader doesn’t mean you’re a struggling reader. Slower readers can actually be just as competent at reading as faster readers or even more enhanced. According to volume 67 of the magazine Education Leadership intelligent slow readers often but not always can better comprehend what they are reading better than those who read fast. Everyone has their own set reading pace at which they read most efficiently.

Moreover, I have realized that I am already utilizing a few of them. Typically, skimming the text first and subsequently rereading the material is my standard practice. When I am ready to go back to reread, I am sure I have my pen in hand and notebook ready so that I can jot down notes. I also highlight the text I feel is important or that stands out. One method/strategy I feel will be especially useful moving forward is the SQ4R method. The first step is to review the frontmatter, ask myself what I believe the author is trying to explain and why the material was written, I’ll skim the text, re-read further in depth and create annotations and highlight as I read. Talking over the material out loud and in my own words, will be followed by reviewing the notes that were made. Using this process each time reading is assigned will assist in making me successful by helping to improve my understanding and retain what I have read. This method would be especially helpful when reading any textbook material in preparation for a writing assignment or a test. Another strategy I believe would be helpful, since I am a visual learner, is creating a concept map. Using a concept map will help to reflect on

My current situation with reading is that I somewhat approach it with a negative attitude, most of the time this is because of the type of text or topic; I enjoy reading scientific articles with graphics and numbers, where I can skim through many articles and understand it, even if it feels like useless knowledge, an example of what I enjoy is me reading about scientist claiming that the Iceberg that sank the Titanic was about 100,000 years old. I do realize that I enjoy reading text-only novels too, but it also depends the content if it attracts my attention. Also I never create a reading schedule, instead I just read when I feel like it (sometimes at last minute). Taking notes is difficult for me when reading, and since I don’t read fast

My reading process overall is very strong and went smoothly. As I read I annotated the pages and this helped me stay more focused and connected with the reading. Today it was hard for me after I went to the bathroom and came back to the reading because I disconnected from the reading and had to try and dive straight back in. I also put my cell phone far away from me when I read or do homework so that I will not be tempted to look at the phone instead of completing my reading.

There are a few different reading strategies that can help a person become a critical reader. A reading strategy that could lead upcoming undergraduate students to become critical readers is a strategy that is called “Crap Analysis”. There are more strategies used to become a critical reader that includes increasing